Embracing Healthy Habits: My Journey with Appetite, Food, and a Delicious Rice & Spinach Salad

In the whirlwind of everyday life, sometimes the most profound moments of connection can leave you utterly speechless. Having dedicated time to read and re-read every single one of your incredibly kind, thoughtful comments, emails, and tweets, I find myself grappling for words beyond the simplest expressions. “Wow.” “Thanks.” “Sniff.” These brief utterances are all I can manage as a wave of profound gratitude washes over me. This outpouring of support, understanding, and shared humanity feels like an extraordinary gift, one that has truly blown my mind and left me feeling deeply touched, even in the quiet solitude of reading your messages.

This collective embrace has, quite honestly, lifted an immense weight from my shoulders – a burden I hadn’t even fully recognized I was carrying. Perhaps it was the “weight of my weight,” a silent pressure that subtly influenced so many aspects of my life and decisions. Your shared stories and sentiments have collectively acknowledged this burden, accepted it, and helped me gently set it aside. The desire to continue each heartfelt conversation that has begun here is incredibly strong. I’m contemplating a plan, a gathering just for us, a potluck where we can connect in person, share stories, and simply enjoy each other’s company. Would you be inclined to join? Life, after all, is far too short to miss out on such enriching connections and shared experiences.

Amidst this reflective state, a rather mundane yet profoundly significant realization dawned on me: I made dinner! It’s remarkable how easily we can lose sight of the abundance of delicious, healthy food available – dishes we genuinely love, often as much as, if not more than, the less nutritious options. For so long, an almost instinctual belief had become deeply ingrained within me: that junk food equated to happiness. This started in childhood, when forbidden treats like Hostess Fruit Pies and Ding Dongs, advertised enticingly on the back of Archie comics, became objects of intense obsession. The reality, when I finally tasted them in the States, often fell short of the spectacular expectations I had built up, yet the alluring fantasy persisted for years.

My relationship with food has always been a complex and deeply personal tapestry. When I was pregnant with my son, W, my appetite seemed to vanish almost entirely. It was a peculiar, disorienting experience that left me feeling disconnected from myself. For the very first time, I understood those rare individuals who become so engrossed in their activities or work that they genuinely forget to eat. This concept had always been utterly inconceivable to me. How could one forget such a fundamental human need? Do they forget to breathe too? The idea had always seemed impossible.

The common wisdom from everyone around me was that my appetite would surely return with W’s birth. Yet, in those initial weeks, amidst the intense demands of sleep deprivation and constant breastfeeding, my hunger remained surprisingly muted. A subtle panic began to set in. I distinctly remember a bowl of peanut M&Ms sitting innocently on the kitchen counter, and to my utter astonishment, I had no desire for them whatsoever. I urged myself to try just one, convinced that the familiar taste of chocolate would spark recognition, reminding me of my usual enjoyment and reassuring me that everything was returning to normal. In hindsight, that desperate plea must have been the extreme sleep deprivation doing all the talking.

What’s truly fascinating about this entire journey is the profound depth of my connection to food. I feel a fundamental part of myself missing without a healthy, engaged appetite. If I were presented with a magical switch that could instantly dull my hunger, making me utterly uninterested in food, I wouldn’t hesitate to decline. Not even if it promised to simultaneously eliminate all my ongoing weight concerns and struggles. I wouldn’t relinquish this intrinsic connection, not ever. My appetite, in all its complexities and occasional challenges, is a vital part of who I am, a choice I consciously embrace. This profound understanding and acceptance of my relationship with food brings a certain comfort and clarity.

This introspection serves as a crucial, ongoing reminder: I truly do enjoy healthy food. The picky eater I once was, the 10-year-old who might gag at the sight of pan-fried fish or persistently beg for “Wonder Bread,” is long gone. My palate has matured and evolved significantly over the years. I’ve developed a particular fondness for vibrant, hearty, and grainy salads – those satisfying bowls packed with fresh, wholesome ingredients. This realization has sparked a new, empowering strategy: to consistently have one or two such healthy salads prepped and ready in the fridge at all times. This ensures there’s always a proper, nourishing option readily available for lunch, dinner, or a quick, guilt-free nibble. Being prepared, I’ve learned, is an incredibly “Good Thing” and a cornerstone of sustainable healthy eating.

Hungry Julie, you see, is a very persuasive entity. She possesses a remarkable ability to talk the rest of me into unhealthy choices, always with the seductive promise of “starting tomorrow.” This insidious habit of postponing healthy eating, often leading to a mentality of “eating as much as I can tonight to get it out of my system,” was a significant contributor to my past weight struggles, where I weighed over 300 pounds. Some days, merely resisting the allure of the “I’ll start tomorrow” trap feels like a monumental triumph in itself. It’s about breaking a deeply ingrained cycle, one conscious, prepared choice at a time, celebrating even the smallest victories on this journey towards wellness.

Oh, and on a slightly different, yet equally important, note, I also managed to attend a Pilates class today! It was challenging, an “Oy!” kind of experience that pushed my physical limits, but deeply rewarding. It’s another small, deliberate step in cultivating a holistic approach to wellness, reminding me that physical activity, much like nourishing food, plays a vital and interconnected role in feeling good, both physically and mentally.

It’s remarkable how much rambling a simple rice salad can inspire, especially when one is feeling so profoundly speechless and grateful. Yet, this salad, much like the heartfelt conversations that sparked this reflection, is more than just a collection of ingredients; it’s a testament to simple joys, conscious choices, and the power of nourishing oneself from within.

A Simple & Versatile Rice and Spinach Salad: Your Go-To Meal Prep Formula

You won’t need an overly rigid, precise recipe for this delightful salad; instead, consider it a flexible formula, easily adaptable to your preferences, dietary needs, and what you happen to have on hand. My mother and I first concocted this years ago, perhaps for a baby shower or a casual get-together, and it has remained a cherished staple ever since. Its versatility is truly its charm. We’ve made it with small rice-shaped pasta (orzo) for a different texture, or with various types of rice. While I opted for fragrant white Jasmine rice this time, brown rice, wild rice, or even quinoa would be equally fantastic, offering different nutritional profiles and a more robust bite.

Ingredients for Your Healthy Rice Salad:

Cooked Rice: 1 to 2 cups of your preferred cooked rice (e.g., Jasmine, Basmati, Brown, or even Orzo pasta for a twist).
Fresh Spinach: A generous amount of fresh baby spinach, sliced or torn (seriously, use more than you think you need – it wilts down!).
Red Onion: A small chunk of red onion, thinly slivered or finely diced, for a gentle bite.
Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese, adjusted to your taste for that salty, tangy kick.
Lemon Zest: The grated zest of one whole lemon, for aromatic brightness.
Lemon Juice: The freshly squeezed juice of the same lemon, to uplift all the flavors.
Olive Oil: A good drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
Black Pepper: Plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
Salt: Optional, to taste, keeping in mind that feta is naturally salty.
Optional Additions: Elevate your salad with chopped cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts or walnuts for crunch, chickpeas for added protein and fiber, or even grilled chicken or tofu for a more substantial meal.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare and Cool the Rice: Begin by cooking your chosen rice according to the package directions. For 1-2 cups of dry rice, this usually involves simmering with 2-4 cups of water or broth until tender and fluffy. The absolutely crucial step here is to cool it completely before mixing with other ingredients. Spreading the cooked rice out on a baking sheet can help it cool faster and prevent it from clumping. This also ensures your delicate spinach doesn’t wilt prematurely when combined.
Combine with Greens: In a large mixing bowl, combine the completely cooled rice with a generous amount of fresh spinach. Do not be shy with the spinach – it compresses down significantly, and a vibrant green base is essential for both flavor and maximum nutrition. You can slice it thinly into ribbons or simply tear it into bite-sized pieces for texture.
Add Aromatics and Cheese: Incorporate the thinly slivered or finely diced purple (red) onion. Its crispness and mild pungency add a lovely contrast to the creamy rice and tender spinach. Then, crumble in your desired amount of salty, tangy feta cheese. The unique flavor profile of feta is a perfect complement to the other fresh ingredients.
Zest and Dress with Lemon: Using a fine grater, add the zest of an entire lemon to the bowl. Lemon zest provides an incredible aromatic boost and a concentrated citrus flavor. Follow this with the freshly squeezed juice of the same lemon. The natural acidity of the lemon juice brightens and harmonizes all the flavors, making the salad truly pop.
Season and Mix Thoroughly: Drizzle generously with a high-quality extra virgin olive oil. This not only adds a wonderful richness but also helps to bind all the flavors together beautifully. Season liberally with freshly ground black pepper. Now, taste and adjust the seasonings. If needed, add a small pinch of salt, but always remember that feta is inherently salty, so it’s wise to taste first before adding more.
Toss and Serve or Chill: Gently toss all the ingredients until everything is well combined and evenly coated with the dressing. The salad is ready to enjoy immediately, offering a burst of fresh flavors. However, flavors often meld and deepen deliciously if allowed to sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes to an hour before serving.
Storage and Meal Prep: This versatile salad keeps wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, making it an excellent option for meal prepping healthy lunches or quick, satisfying dinners throughout your busy week. It’s perfect for dipping into whenever hunger strikes, offering a truly satisfying, wholesome, and delicious option that supports your healthy habits.

This simple yet incredibly satisfying rice and spinach salad is more than just a recipe; it’s a testament to the joy and ease that healthy eating can bring into your life. It’s about finding deliciousness in wholesome, fresh ingredients and consciously choosing habits that nurture both your body and your mind. Enjoy this vibrant dish as a delicious and integral part of your own journey towards a more mindful and joyful relationship with food and overall well-being.